Muse Client Highlight - LJJ Surfacing Ltd
Data published in 2020 from the Office of National Statistics suggests that 4.9% of businesses in Construction Services are Women led. Furthermore, only 13% of the UK construction industry's overall workforce is women.
Much like our Founder & CEO Ann Juliano, we are advocates for #WomenSupportingWomen. We are beyond ecstatic to highlight inspiring women and Clients like Emma Chulk. Not only does she work in a male-dominated industry, but Emma is also a business owner. She talks her experience owning a Construction company as a female, the benefits of Invoice Finance and working with Muse. See our Q&A with Emma Chulk, below.
Company Name and Industry: LJJ Surfacing Ltd - Road Construction & Labour Hire
Company Contact: Emma Chulk
Job Role: Co-Founder & Finance Director
Tell us about your business and how it started?
We run a road surfacing and labour hire business, mainly serving larger commercial customers. We also do some residential driveway work too. The business was started just over 9 years ago, when we identified a gap in the market and the need for a locally run service. My father and grandfather were both in the industry their whole lives and it was something I had experience of, plus many contacts in the industry too. It was an area that I had always been keen to get into from a young age and the time was right to now explore this.
As a business, what has been your biggest challenge?
Our biggest challenge has been competing with larger companies and recruitment agencies that try to undercut us on price, as it is a highly competitive industry. We have had to work very hard to show that our service is more personal, effective and value for money in the long run.
What have you put in place to help scale the business?
In order to support the growth of the business it was important to secure funding and financial stability. This enabled us to work for larger companies, who can often have long payment terms. Thankfully in 2016/17 we were able to secure this help with invoice financing, enabling us to triple our turnover in the first 12 months. This was instrumental in growing the business and could not have happened without this kind of input and support.
How did you learn about Invoice Finance?
We found out about invoice financing through research online and speaking to other businesses, on how they had achieved growth in their own sectors. Prior to this it was something we were not aware of. Yet it can be one of the most useful assets in starting or growing many businesses and has certainly worked for us.
For your business, what benefits do you experience with an IF facility?
The benefits of invoice financing have been to give us the opportunity to grow and work with much larger organisations. It has ensured that we have a strong cash flow throughout the year, which is vital when running any successful business. Plus having the extra support with debt collecting and general business advice too, has been extremely valuable.
Have you used IF previously before Muse Finance? If so, please explain your experience.
Prior to Muse Finance we were with Innovation Finance, who were bought out by MUSE. Our experience over the last few years has been really great. We have had an excellent business relationship with them and have always felt valued and supported by the team.
How well do we deliver on your expectations?
Since Muse has taken over our invoice financing we have found the transition very easy and supportive. There is now a larger team of support available to us, for the same price as before. Plus new technology in the form of an app, which will be a very useful tool in managing the every-day financial management of our business.
Working with Muse Finance, what do you value the most?
Having such an experienced and respected business woman at the helm of Muse definitely gives us the confidence that our business is in safe hands. We feel that the company is progressive and is always looking for new ways to support us, in our future growth. I feel that the owner is approachable and very hands on in the business and genuinely cares about us as customers. This flows through to the members of the team, who seem very satisfied in their work-place and in turn are always happy to help us as customers.
As a female business owner, explain your experience to achieve what you have in your industry?
Working in the construction industry is still a fairly new area for female directors and ownership is still quite rare. I have had to do extensive networking with potential clients. Giving them the confidence that their needs and requirements will be equally met. Demonstrating the knowledge and passion that I have for the industry as a whole, has been extremely important. The knowledge and experience that has been passed onto me from my father and grandfather has been instrumental in forming a strong foundation for me to build on.
If you could offer any advice to other female entrepreneurs/businesses, what would it be?
If you have an idea or business plan, don't be hesitant in giving it a go! Even if it is in a typically male dominated industry. Don’t be discouraged if you don’t have the finance or funding in place, as there are so many options like invoice financing, that can enable you to achieve your dreams and goals. Research is key and information is so readily available online for you to explore. Also approach and follow other female business leaders on social media and you can gain a lot of insight, ideas and information, to start you onto a successful path of progression.
Find out more about LJJ Surfacing below:
